Predictive Value of Inflammatory Markers for Irrigation and Debridement of Acute TKA Infection

The roles of C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) are well established in the diagnosis of total joint infection. However, it is not entirely clear what value preoperative CRP and ESR have in predicting outcomes following irrigation and debridement with insert exchange for acute hematogenous total knee arthroplasty infection. The total joint registry at the authors' institution was reviewed to identify all patients who underwent irrigation and debridement with insert exchange for a diagnosis of acute hematogenous infection of a primary total knee arthroplasty. Patient medical records were then reviewed for preoperative white blood cell count and CRP and ESR levels; interval from symptom onset to surgery; infecting organism; and any additional surgery for infection. Average patient age was 72 years (range, 51-91 years). Forty-four patients were men and 26 were women. Mean follow-up was 54 months (range, 12-176 months). Seventy-two procedures (69 patients) met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 20 (28%) additional procedures for infection were performed and were classified as treatment failures. Average CRP was 173.7 mg/L in the successful group and 159.0 mg/L in the failed group (P=.31). Mean ESR at the time of irrigation and debridement with insert exchange was 61.3 mm/hr in both groups (P=.49). Although CRP and ESR are well established in the diagnosis of infection, no role currently exists for them in predicting the outcomes of irrigation and debridement with insert exchange for the treatment of acute hematogenous total knee arthroplasty infection.